The aim of the course is to enhance students' knowledge, clinical skills and competencies in the field of mental health nursing by providing advanced studies in the field to prepare students to contribute to the present and future development of mental health nursing and the mental health nursing profession. The course also aims to provide students with the necessary skills to meet the ANMC standards for eligibility to register as a Mental Health Nurse upon completion of the course.Learning outcomesGraduates of the course are expected to be able to: * meet the requirements for registration as a mental health nurse with the Nurses Board of South Australia; * perform advanced mental health nursing roles and demonstrate excellence in mental health nursing practice; * influence and improve the nature and quality of mental health nursing practice; * provide leadership and exert a positive influence on the mental health of the community; * advance mental health nursing knowledge and mental health nursing practice research.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a nursing degree or an equivalent qualification approved by the Faculty Board, must be registered general nurses or registered mental health/psychiatric nurses with a current practising certificate, and must have had a minimum of two years' post-registration nursing experience. However, the Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Academic title

Master of Mental Health Nursing

Course description

The Master of Mental Health Nursing is a 54-unit program offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a Commonwealth Supported basis. It has three pathways: (1) Coursework, (2) Clinical and (3) Research.

CREDIT

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or equivalent approved qualification will be granted a maximum of 36 units.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]

To qualify for the Master of Mental Health Nursing, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of Pass or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, the program must be completed full-time within three consecutive semesters or part-time within eight consecutive semesters.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 12 units or more, or failure to complete the course within four consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Students must complete ONE of the following three pathways:1 COURSEWORK

NURS9020

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

6

NURS9026

Leadership in Health Studies

6

NURS9523

Primary Health Care for Mental Health

6

NURS9529

Mental Health Nursing Practice 1

12

NURS9530

Mental Health Nursing Practice 2

6

NURS9602

Practice Project in Nursing or Midwifery

9

Elective topic(s)

9

Students enrolled in this pathway will be able to select from the following elective topics:

Not all elective topics will be available in any given year or semester.

Students enrolled in this pathway may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select other postgraduate streams offered by the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

3 RESEARCH

NURS9020

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

6

NURS9207

Thesis Preparation

6

NURS9208

Research Issues in Health

6

NURS9529

Mental Health Nursing Practice 1

12

NURS9530

Mental Health Nursing Practice 2

6

NURS9613

Research Project

18

Students enrolled in this pathway will be required to provide an acceptable research proposal prior to enrolling in NURS9613. Research proposals are subject to Course Coordinator approval and the School's ability to provide suitable research supervision to students depending on their proposed research topic.